Page:Emily Climbs.pdf/172

 “‘And she’s quite pretty, too,’ said Mrs. Ince.

“‘Her father, Douglas Starr, was a remarkably handsome man,’ said Aunt Ruth.

“They went out then. For once an eavesdropper heard something good of herself!

“But from Aunt Ruth!!

“June 17, 19—

“My ‘candle goeth not out by night’ now—at least not until quite late. Aunt Ruth lets me sit up because the terminal examinations are on. Perry infuriated Mr. Travers by writing at the end of his algebra paper, Matthew 7:5. When Mr. Travers turned it up he read: ‘Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.’ Mr. Travers is credited with knowing much less about mathematics than he pretends to. So he was furious and threw Perry’s paper out ‘as a punishment for impertinence.’ The truth is poor Perry made a mistake. He to write Matthew 5:7. ‘Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.’ He went and explained to Mr. Travers but Mr. Travers wouldn’t listen. Then Ilse bearded the lion in his den—that is, went to Principal Hardy, told him the tale and induced him to intercede with Mr. Travers. As a result Perry got his marks, but was warned not to juggle with Scripture texts again.

“June 28, 19—

“School’s out. I have won my star pin. It has been a great old year of fun and study and stings. And now I’m going back to dear New Moon for two splendid months of freedom and happiness.

“I’m going to write a Garden Book in vacation. The idea has been sizzling in my brain for some time and since I can’t write stories I shall try my hand at a series